THE PROBLEM: With its cracks, potholes, ruts and haphazardly resurfaced utility trenches, Reynard Way is in desperate need of some TLC.

Garth Ward, who commutes along the steep, winding passage between southern Mission Hills and downtown San Diego, said he has written to the city five times since 2007 about the condition of the street. The street has become especially hazardous for bicycles going downhill, Ward said.

“It's just in awful shape – a totally uneven surface,” said Ward, who received no replies to his complaints. “I've been commuting there for eight years or so, and I've never seen any improvements on it.”

STATUS: Reynard Way is on a long list of streets scheduled for work over the next few months as the city, with some help from borrowed money, intensifies an effort to catch up on overdue maintenance.

A separate list for street projects was also approved by the City Council this week, with work expected to get under way this fall.

Reynard made the list of 2009 projects, taking in most of the area south of Curlew Street. It will get an overlay, with the top few inches of the surface milled off before a new layer of asphalt is laid down. That's a more extensive repair than the thin layer of asphalt known as slurry seal.

Hasan Yousef, deputy director of the Street Division, said priorities are set by assessments done by consultants, rating pavement quality on a scale of 0 to 100. Also considered is the amount of traffic, input from the mayor, City Council offices and the public and how many times city crews have been out for minor repairs.

The Just Fix It page online now features the latest list of projects, although the 2010 list is subject to change. Some streets may be dropped, swapped out or delayed by conflicts with planned utility work or other projects.

If you think your street has been unfairly left off the list, Yousef recommends calling the Street Division directly at (619) 527-7500. You can also enlist your council member. Contact information is listed at uniontrib.com/more/sdcouncil.